Ash receptacle for automobiles



Sept. 9, 1969 J. w. BLAKE ASH RECEPTACLE FOR AUTOMOBILES 2 Sheets-Sheet2 Filed Nov. 13, 1967 PIC-3.5

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INVENTOR ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,466,107 ASH RECEPTACLE FORAUTOMOBILES Jack W. Blake, Grand Rapids, Mich., assignor to F. L. JacobsCo., Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Filed Nov. 13, 1967, Ser.No. 682,453 Int. Cl. B60n 3/08; A47b 88/04 US. Cl. 312-446 18 ClaimsABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An improved ash receptacle is disclosed forinstallation on the dashboard of an automobile. The receptacle comprisesa stamped sheet metal mounting structure which slidably receives andhouses a stamped sheet metal ash box or tray. The mount is in thegeneral form of an inverted U-shaped housing, which is suitably afiixedsecured to the inner side of a side wall of the mounting structure. Asuitable formation on the side wall acts to maintain the lower guidemember in place when the ash box is removed from the mounting structure,as for emptying, and when the lower guide member is otherwisunsustained.

For coaction with the spring-biased guide means on the mount, the ashbox has an elongated, non-metallic and one-piece guide mounted to theouter surface of each of its upright side walls, in a longitudinal zonelaterally paralleling that of the guide means of the stamped mountingmember. These box-carried guides are of molded nylon or other moldableplastic material known for its low coefficient of friction in slidingengagement with a metal member. The die cast members on either side ofthe mount are formed on their upper and lower surfaces in a V-outlinefor a slidingly guided engagement with mating formations integral withthe nylon guides of the ash box.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION The improvements of the subjectash receptacle in the main constitute a simplification of structuralfeatures illustrated and described in .my copending application, Ser.No. 522,674, filed I an. 24, 1966. The receptacle of that application ischaracterized by a compound sliding action in its motion from a fullyretracted position to a fully withdrawn position relative to thedashboard, and vice versa. In contrast, the present receptacle is asingle-action one in withdrawal and retraction. However, the disclosureshave in common the feature of a two-part, die cast guide unit, the partsof which are vertically biased away from one another, as by anelongated, mildly undulatory wire spring, for sliding action betweennon-metallic guide formations. Various stop and coupling provisionsnecessary to the operation of the double acting version are eliminatedin the present single acting receptacle, with consequent reduction inthe cost of manufacture.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention Patented Sept. 9,1969 Description of the prior art I am aware of no prior art disclosuresmore pertinent in nature than that of my copending applicationidentified above. The patents to Middleton No. 3,109,688 of Nov. 5,1963, and Middleton et al. No. 3,285,683 of Nov. 15, 1966, show ashreceptacles comprising mounts and boxes generally similar as toproportion and size alone to the present receptacle; but they involveroller-type guide means having no pertinence to the type of guidearrangement herein contemplated. Hendricks No. 2,334,925 of Nov. 23,1943, discloses a slide type of guide for an automotive ash receptacle,but lacks features of improvement of the slide means mentioned in theabstract.

Otherwise, certain patents directed to drawer slides, such as Pratt No.2,265,927 of Dec. 9, 1941, Miller No. 3,059,986 of Oct. 23, 1962 andBarnes No. 3,092,429 of June 4, 1963, illustrate the use of elongatedslide guide means for a drawer or the like. None of the above, however,involves a muiltiple part die-cast guide unit on one box or mountcomponent and a coacting non-metallic guide member on the othercomponent.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION mount, also of more or less knownconfiguration. One

of these members, illustrated herein as being the box, has aninexpensive elongated nylon guide of generally channeled or C-shapedcross-section secured to each outer side thereof. However, these moldedplastic guide members might well also be applied to the inner side wallsof the mounting structure, if deemed desirable. As actually shown, themounting structure has a twopart, spring biased guide unit On each ofits side walls; and the pairs of die castings on the respective boxsides are formed for sliding coaction between upper and lower lipportions of the nylon guide channels.

Otherwise, the present ash box carries the usual type of manuallydepressable spring retainer, by which the withdrawing motion of the boxfrom the mount is limited, and upon depression of which a fullseparation of the box from its mount may be effected. In anotherrespect, not germane to the present invention, the box is equipped witha decorative front escutcheon piece blending with the contour andappearance of the dashboard when the receptacle is closed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view ofthe improved receptacle, with a near wall of its sheet metal mountingmember of the latter broken away, as on line 11 of FIG. 5, to permitviewing its internal guide means;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the ash box of the receptacle;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the box, as, seen from thedirection of the arrow 3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a view in vertical section along line 44 of FIG. 6, this viewshowing the entirety of the guide structure of the mount and the box.

FIG. 5 is a view in transverse vertical cross-section through themounting member, with the ash box removed, illustrating features of themulti-part die-cast and spring guide units on the members walls, and themanner in which they are retained against separation when the box isremoved from the mount;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view in cross-section along line 66 of FIG. 4,being similar in nature to the section of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 more clearly illustrates the cross-sectional outline of theelongated nylon guide member on the box.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 4, 5 and 6, the receptacle, generallydesignated by the reference numeral 10, is mounted behind the dashboardpanel area by a generally inverted U-shaped mount or housing structure,generally designated 12, which is suitably fastened by riveting, weldingor equivalent means to the body structure, in a well known way notrequiring illustration. Each of the parallel upright and laterallyspaced walls 13 of the mount 12 carries an elongated, multiple partguide unit, generally designated 14, features of which will hereinafterbe described in detail.

As for the ash box or tray 16 of receptacle 10, its configuration,including transversely spaced parallel and upright side walls 17, bottom18, rear wall 19 and upwardly sloping front wall 20, is, as appears inFIG. 3, generally similar to existing ash box structures. FIG. 1 showsbottom wall 18 and front wall 20 as being equipped with an ornamentalescutcheon piece 22 blending in contour and finish with the dashboard,which piece constitutes no part of the improvement.

Similarly, the rear wall 19 carries a forwardly projecting, leaf springtype retainer 21 by which outward withdrawal of the box 16 is limitedand upon manual depression of which piece 21 the box may be disengagedfrom mount 12 and withdrawn wholly for emptying. Further, front wall 20has an integral, rearwardly disposed cigaret snubout part 24 which, likespring member 23 and escutcheon 22 is not a feature of the invention. Ingeneral, mount 12 and box 16 are fabricated conventionally by stamping,with the union of certain margins or parts effected by riveting, weldingor the like, all in accordance with accepted procedures in this art.

Referring particularly now to FIGS. 2, 3, 6 and 7, each of the sidewalls 17 of the ash box 16 carries fixedly on its outer surface, in azone parallel with and somewhat above its bottom 18, an elongated,one-piece mold ed guide member 26 of nylon or other non-metallicmaterial having a desired limited frictional character in slidingengagement with metal. The guide piece 26 is shown as being rigidlyafiixed to the box side walls 17 by means of a plurality of rivets 27,although other means may serve the purpose. As best shown in FIG. 7,each of the guide members 26 is of a generally C-shaped cross-section,including an upright wall or body portion 28, which is brought by rivets27 flush against the outer surface of box wall 17, and top and bottomlips 29, 30 defining a channel-like guide groove or way 31. FIGS. 2 and3 show the guide members 26 as extending a major part of thefront-to-rear length of the walls 17, terminating approximately at therear box wall 19.

FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 best show the structure of the guide units 14 attachedto the inner sides of the two upright walls 13 of the mount stamping 12.Each of these units includes an upper die casting 33 of elongated natureand (FIG. 4) in the shape of an inverted U in side elevation, beingcharacterized by a pair of depending, relatively wide end legs 34integrally connected by an elongated upper body length 35. Upper guidemember 33 is secured to the mount Wall 13 at the end legs 34, as byrivets 36 or equivalent means.

A second part of the guide unit 14 is an elongated die cast length 38,shown as being a trifle shorter than the distance between legs 34 of theupper guide member 33. In order to prevent separation of the lower guidemember 38 from the upper, as when the box 16 is removed from mount 12,the side walls 13 of the latter are shown (FIGS. 4, 5 and 6) as beingprovided with inwardly offset and upturned lugs 39, which may beintegral with Walls 13, being hereinafter further referred to.

The guide members 33 and 38, save at the ends thereof, are of identicalvertical cross-section, as best appears in FIG. 5, although orientedoppositely in the vertical sense. Thus, each has a vertically facing,V-shaped groove or channel 41 extending throughout its length; and thelugs 39 referred to above engage upwardly in the channel 41 of lower diecasting 38 to prevent the separation referred to in the precedingparagraph. Each unit 14 is completed by an elongated, mildly sinuous orundulatory wire spring 42, in general of the leaf type, this springbeing received in mutually facing, elongated channels 43 of the guidemembers 33 and 38. Spring 42 is confined against end-Wise shift by endlugs 44 (FIG. 4) integral with or fixedly connected to one of thecastings 33, 38. The lugs limit the castings to a predetermined minimumvertical spacing relative to one another.

FIG. 6 shows the mounting and box members as operationally assembled toone another. The upper and lower lips 29, 30 of the box-carried nylonguides 26 are received in the guide channels 41 of the respective diecast parts 33, 38, and the latter are resiliently urged apart by spring42 to maintain this action. Sufiicient friction is present to hold box16 stably in a partially or wholly retracted position, yet theanti-friction nature of guides 26 permits smooth and easy shift of thebox in relation to the spring biased, housing-borne guide units 14.

What is claimed is:

1. A receptacle of the type described, comprising a fixed mountingmember, a slidable box or like member adapted for sliding withdrawal andretraction movement relative to said mounting member, and means slidablyconnecting said members for said movement, comprising an elongated guidefixed on one of said members, and an elongated guide unit on the othermember, said guide providing vertically aligned and spaced,longitudinally extending guideway portions, said guide unit comprising afirst elongated guide component fixedly mounted on the other of saidmembers and having a portion slidably engaging one of said guidewayportions of said guide, a second elongated guide component in verticallyfloatingly mounted relation to said first component and having a portionslidably engaging the other guideway portion of said guide, meansresiliently biasing said first, fixedly mounted component and saidsecond, floatingly mounted component relative to one another for slidingaction of the respective portions of said guide components relative tothe respective guideway portions of said guide, and means acting toprevent vertical separation of said components of said guide unit fromone another when not engaged with said portions of said guide.

2. An ash receptacle for a vehicle, comprising a fixed mounting memberdisposed within a vehicle dashboard, a slidable box or like memberadapted for sliding withdrawal and retraction movement relative to saidmounting member and means slidably connecting said members for saidmovement, comprising an elongated guide fixed on said slidable boxmember, and an elongated guide unit on said fixed mounting member, saidguide providing vertically aligned and spaced, longitudinally extendingguideway portions, said guide unit comprising a first elongated guidecomponent fixedly mounted on a side of said fixed mounting member andhaving a portion slidably engaging one of said guideway portions of saidguide, a second elongated guide component in vertically floatinglymounted relation to said first component and having a portion slidablyengaging the other guideway portion of said guide, means resilientlybiasing said first, fixedly mounted component and said second,floatingly mounted component vertically relative to one another forsliding action of the respetcive portions of said guide componentsrelative to the respective guideway portions of said guide, and meansacting to prevent vertical separation of said components of said guideunit from one another when not engaged with said portions of said guide.

3. The receptacle of claim 1, in which said portions of one of saidguide and said guide unit are of a metallic material, the portions ofthe other being of a non-metallic material having a low coefficient offriction in sliding engagement with the metallic portions.

4. An ash receptacle for a vehicle, comprising a fixed mounting memberdisposed Within a vehicle dashboard, a

slidable box or like member adapted for sliding withdrawal andretraction movement relative to said mounting member, and means slidablyconnecting said members for said movement, comprising an elongated guidefixed on said slidable box member, and an elongated guide unit on saidfixed mounting member, said guide providing vertically aligned andspaced, longitudinally extending guideway portions, said guide unitcomprising a first elongated guide component fixedly mounted on a sideof said fixed mounting member and having a portion slidably engaging oneof said guideway portions of said guide, a second elongated guidecomponent in vertically floatingly mounted relation to said firstcomponent and having a portion slidably engaging the other guidewayportion of said guide, and means resiliently biasing said first, fixedlymounted component and said second, floatingly mounted componentvertically relative to one another for sliding action of the respectiveportions of said guide components relative to the respective guidewayportions of said guide, said portions of one of said guide and saidguide unit being of a metallic material, the portions of the other beingof a non-metallic material having. a low coefficient of friction insliding engagement with the metallic portions.

5. The receptacle of claim 2, in which said portions of the said guideunit are of a metallic material, the portions of the guide being of anon-metallic material having a low coefficient of friction in slidingengagement with the metallic portions.

6. The receptacle of claim 1, in which said guide is of C-shapedcross-section to provide mutually facing guideway portions, said guideunit components being slidably mounted in said guide and being of across-section affordihg V-shaped portions slidably engaged by therespective guideway portions of said guide.

7. An ash receptacle for a vehicle, comprising a fixed mounting memberdisposed within a vehicle dashboard, a slidable box or like memberadapted for sliding withdrawal and retraction movement relative to saidmounting member, and means slidably connecting said members for saidmovement, comprising an elongated guide fixed on said slidable boxmember, and an elongated guide unit on said fixed mounting member, saidguide providing vertically aligned and spaced, longitudinally extendingguideway portions, said guide unit comprising a first elongated guidecomponent fixedly mounted on a side of said fixed mounting member andhaving a portion slidably engaging one of said guideway portions of saidguide, a second elongated guide component in vertically fioatinglymounted relation to said first component and having a portion slidablyengaging the other guideway portion of said guide, and means resilientlybiasing said first, fixedly mounted component and said second,floatingly mounted component vertically relative to one another forsliding action of the respective portions of said guide componentsrelative to the respective guideway portions of said guide, said guidebeing of C-shaped cross-section to provide mutually facing guidewayportions, said guide unit components being slidably mounted in saidguide and being of a crosssection aifording V-shaped portions slidablyengaged by the respective guideway portions of said guide, saidseparation-preventing means being fixed on said fixed mounting memberand engaging from beneath the lower-most component of said guide unit onsaid fixed member.

8. The receptacle of claim 5, in which said guide is of Cshapedcross-section to provide mutually facing guideway portions, said guideunit components being slidably mounted in said guide and being of across-section afiording V-shaped portions slidably engaged by therespective guideway portions of said guide, said separation-preventingmeans being fixed on said fixed mounting member and engaging frombeneath the lowermost component of said guide unit on said fixed member.

9. The receptacle of claim 2, in which said guide is of C-shaped crosssection to provide mutually facing guideway portions, said guide unitcomponents being slidably mounted in said guide and being of a crosssection affording V-shaped portions slidably engaged by the respectiveguideway portions of said guide.

10. A receptacle of the type described, comprising a fixed mountingmember, a slidable box. or like member adapted for sliding retractionmovement relative to and separation from said mounting member, and meansslidably connecting said members for said movement, com prising anelongated guide fixed on one of said members, and an elongated guideunit on the other member, said guide providing vertically aligned andspaced, longitudinally extending guideway portions, said guide unitcomprising a first elongated guide component fixedly mounted on saidother of said members and having a portion slidably engaging one of saidguideway portions of said guide, a second elongated guide component invertically floatingly mounted relation to said first component andhaving a portion slidably engaging the other guideway portion of saidguide, and means acting to prevent vertical separation of saidcomponents of said guide unit from one another When the slidable memberis separated from the fixed mounting member and said components are notengaged with said guideway portions of said guide.

11. The receptacle of claim 10, in which said guide is mounted on saidslidable member and said guide unit is mounted on said fixed mountingmember.

12. The receptacle of claim 10, in which guide is of of C-shaped crosssection to provide mutually facing guideway portions said guide unitcomponents being slidably mounted in said guide and being of a crosssection affording V-shaped portions slidably engaged by the respectiveguideway portions of said guide.

13. The receptacle of claim 10, in which said guide components areresilient biased into sliding engagement with the respective guidewayportions of said guide.

14. The receptacle of claim 11, in which said guide components areresilient biased into sliding engagement with the respective guidewayportions of said guide.

15. The receptacle of claim 12, in which said guide components areresilient biased into sliding engagement with the respective guidewayportions of said guide.

16. A receptacle of the type described, comprising a fixed mountingmember, a slidable box or like member adapted for sliding withdrawal andretraction movement relative to said mounting member, and means slidablyconnecting said members for said movement, comprising an elongated guidefixed on one of said members, and an elongated guide unit on the othermember, said guide providing vertically aligned and spaced,longitudinally extending guideway portions, said guide unit comprising apair of guide components resiliently biased relative to one another toengage said guideway portions, including a first elongated guidecomponent fixedly mounted on said other of said members and having aportion slidably engaging one of said guideway portions of said guide,and a second elongated guide component in vertically floatingly mountedrelation to said first component and having a portion slidably engagingthe other guideway portion of said guide, and means acting to preventvertical separation of said components of said guide unit from oneanother when not engaged with said portions of said guide.

17. A receptacle of the type described, comprising a fixed mountingmember, a slidable box or like member adapted for sliding withdrawal andseparation from said mounting member, and means slidably connecting saidmembers for said movement, comprising an elongated guide fixed on one ofsaid members, and an elongated guide unit on the other said guideproviding vertically aligned and spaced, longitudinally extendingguideway portions, said guide unit comprising a pair of elongated guidecomponents restrained against longitudinal motion relative to oneanother and having limited transverse movement relative to one anotherto engage said guideway portions, including a first guide componentfixedly mounted on said other of said members and having a portionslidably engaging one of said guideway portions of said guide, and asecond guide component in vertically fioatingly mounted relation to saidfirst component and having a portion slidably engaging the otherguideway portion of said guide, and means resiliently biasing saidcomponents transversely relative to one another for said engagementthereof with said guideway portions, said guide components remainingoperatively connected to one another when said members are slidinglyseparated from one another at the guide and guide unit.

18. A receptacle of the type described, comprising a fixed mountingmember, a slidable box or like member adapted for sliding withdrawal andseparation from said mounting member, and means slidably connecting saidmembers for said movement, comprising an elongated guide fixed on saidslidable member, and an elongated guide unit on the fixed mountingmember said guide providing vertically aligned and spaced,longitudinally extending guideway portions, said guide unit comprising apair of elongated guide components restrained against longitudinalmotion relative to one another and having limited transverse movementrelative to one another to engage said guideway portions, including afirst guide component fixedly mounted on said mounting member and havinga portion slidably engaging one of said guideway portions of said guide,and a second guide component in vertically fioatingly mounted relationto said first component and having a portion slidably engaging the otherguideway portion of said guide, and means resiliently biasing sa-idcomponents transversely relative to one another for said engagementthereof with said guideway portions, said guide components remainingoperatively connected to one another when said members are slidinglyseparated from one another at the guide and guide unit.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,059,986 10/1962 Miller 312-3383,092,429 6/1963 Barnes 312338 X 3,295,903 1/1967 Middleton 3122463,355,232 11/1967 Blake 312-246 X CASMIR A. NUNBERG, Primary ExaminerUS. Cl. X.R.

